Photo: RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty
Stop AAPI Hate, a national group that addresses anti-Asian hate in the U.S., reacted to the shootings, writing, “The reported shootings of Asian American women on Tuesday in Atlanta is an unspeakable tragedy — for the families of the victims first and foremost, but also for the AAPI community — which has been reeling from high levels of racial discrimination.”
As Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., tweeted following the attack, “Just because someone says their acts of violence weren’t ‘racially motivated’ doesn’t mean they weren’t. Racism is viciously nuanced, with historical context, economic considerations, and warped ideology.”
Racism against the AAPI community is not a new phenomenon, but the last year has seen an uptick in attacks and discrimination against Asian Americans, which some blame, in part, on former presidentDonald Trump, who referred to COVID-19 as the “China virus” and “Kung Flu” — furthering the rhetoric that Asians were somehow to blame for the global pandemic.
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Below, we have compiled a list of organizations that you can give to in order to support AAPI communities:
Stop AAPI HateThe organization — which was launched in March 2020 in response to the rise in xenophobia and bigotry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic — tracks incidences of hate crimes, violence, discrimination and more against the AAPI community. They also provide multilingual resources for community members, provide assistance, support safety measures and restorative justice efforts and advocate for change on local, state and federal levels.
AAPI Community FundGoFundMe created a fundraiser that has raised more than $830,000 of its $1 million goal, with all of the donations going to “trusted AAPI Organizations working to rectify the racial inequalities in our society.”
Compassion in OaklandFormed in response to a surge of hate crimes against the AAPI community in California’s Bay Area, Compassion in Oakland is an organization that offers chaperones for people within Oakland’s Chinatown neighborhood to help them feel safe, rather than walking alone. You canapply to start a Compassion project in your area,volunteer within the organizationordonate to the cause.
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NextSharkThe news outlet — which has been reporting on Asian success stories and anti-Asian hate crimes, encouraging its readers to stand up to hate, as well as informing and educating them — does not receive any funding or loans.Donate now.
Apex for YouthThe New York City-based nonprofit serves students from first to 12th grade, uplifting marginalized communities and connecting Asian and immigrant youth to mentors and volunteers to further support them.
Hate Is A VirusThe nonprofit began in April 2020, and it works to amplify AAPI voices, as well as educating and activating them to stand for justice and dismantle racism and hate.
Asian Mental Health CollectiveRecent events can take a toll on the mental health of members of the AAPI community. The Asian Mental Health Collective is an organization whose mission is to “normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community.” They strive to make mental health accessible, available and affordable to Asian communities.
Gold HouseGold House is a collective of Asian founders, leaders and creators who strive to unify members of the AAPI community and “enable more authentic multicultural representation and societal equity.”
Asian Americans Advancing JusticeThis national organization’s stated mission is to “advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.” They fight for national conversations about policies that shape the lives of Asian Americans and advocate for civil and human rights.
More organizations to give to:
Want to do more? Educate yourself.
The responsibility to be aware and educated falls on you — do your research and do not burden your Asian American friends and family with that responsibility. Here are a few books we recommend to get started:
And check in with your AAPI friends and family.
If you’ve been attacked or have witnessed an attack, please contact your local authorities. You can also report your incidenthere.
source: people.com
